8.30.2011

8.29.2011

This weekend was super eventful and totally fun!

My brother's family came down from Oregon and I got so spend some such needed time with my cute nieces and nephew at their resort, The Arizona Grand.

If you ever get the chance to go there, make sure you go down the slides! I was completely scared to do it, but my big brother basically gave me no choice and I'm so glad I didn't miss out on that adrenaline rush!

We also got to celebrate my other brother and his gorgeous wife's 16th wedding anniversary.

Aren't they just glowing?

(Check back for a restaurant review--you're not going to want to miss it!)

My parents are coming home from their mission so we're moving over to Marcus' parents house until we find a place of our own. Through it all we found a traditional German Trachten that Marcus had bought on his mission, we also found that I own too many shoes. And clothes for that matter...

Marcus did my hair for church. Didn't he do a nice job?

Today I have a job interview. I'm totally nervous. Any last minute suggestions/interview tips?

8.27.2011

Bonlook Frames

Lately I've been hearing a lot about this online frame shop called BonLook and as soon as I saw their variety of frames, I was in love! I posted about them on Facebook and a friend told me about Warby Parker--also amazing (plus they work like TOMS shoes--buy a pair, they donate a pair).

Warby Parker Frames

Something you might not know about Marcus and I is that one of our favorite stops in the mall is the glasses stores. The problem is the selection of cool frames is sparse and the one's we do like are in the $200 range. Eek!

Ray Bans

We both have and are grateful for our 20/20 vision, but we both have childhood memories of trying to trick our parents into getting us glasses. (Marcus actually succeeded, he lied his way through an entire eye-exam, got a pair of glasses then never wore them because they, of course, gave him headaches! haha)

Anyway, I'm guilty of wearing fake glasses, and now with this virtual try-on session, I may be saving my pennies to buy myself a pair from BonLook or Warby Parker frames.
Mostly I'm just glad to know that there are stylish and affordable ($95-$99) frames out there, in case I actually did need a pair someday.

There's nothing that makes me feel more uncomfortable and nothing I fear being more than insincere.

In fact, I fear it so much that I sometimes hold back completely heartfelt compliments or loving feelings in fear that the receiver will think me counterfeit. Please know that I don't say things unless I mean them, and I'd prefer if you ('you' meaning the human population) didn't either.

Oh my heart sings when I can make friends with an authentic person. They really put me at ease.

Confidence is something that we all struggle with in some form or another and in all sorts of varying degrees, but it seems like almost all vices can stem from either too much of it or not enough.

Too much and we're haughty, cocky, flaunting and unfeeling, and not enough and we're often offended, catty, and self-deprecating.

It's so refreshing to meet someone who knows who they are, where they're going, and have the direction and drive to make it happen. All the while, still boosting up those around them. They're confident enough in themselves, that they don't need to push people down in order to shine. They shine no matter what, because people genuinely like them.

The people I know with a good balance of confidence in their life seem to always be the most successful at balancing success and quality relationships. They inspire me.People who come to mind: Ashley L., My Mom

3. Open-Mindedness

I used to be a very closed-minded, stubborn person, and don't get me wrong, I can often be found slipping back into that bull-headedness, but as I've grown up and interacting with a variety of diverse people, I've learned that while it's always important to have standards and stand strong for what you truly believe in, it's also a beautiful quality to be able to listen to where people are coming from, try and understand their point of view and be willing to compromise on things, or at least respect that we all have our agency to think differently.
I now look forward to the opportunity to interact with people who have different opinions than mine. You always come out on top after hearing a new perspective--either you feel even more confident in your beliefs because your educated about both sides and you actually had to defend what you believed rather than just riding on some tradition, or you learn that what you had been doing really has no validity and it's time to rethink things. Oh how wonderful diversity is!

This is a quality I most need to work on. It's one that seems to boil down to two things--thoughtfulness and laziness. I'm generally pretty aware of what's going on around me and what things need to get done, the problem is that sometimes I'm just too lazy to get up and do them. I don't respect that about myself and it's something I have only recently become aware of. I can probably blame my sister and her boyfriend for that one. They're both incredibly helpful--always serving everyone around them with hardly ever a complaint and I really admire them for that. I'm thankful for the reality check they brought to me. I really do love having things to challenge myself on, and that's one I'm working on at present.

There's just something so beautiful about being with someone who is truly passionate about something.
I had some amazing professors who just loved what they taught. They could make a subject that I had never expressed interest in seem like the greatest thing I could be listening to at the moment. Not only did their enthusiasm spark interest in the subject, but I was also just so encouraging that anyone could feel so excited about something they get to do regularly. I aspire to find something like that in my life.

People that come to mind: Jason, Stephanie, Elizabeth,Tango teacher, High School Spanish teacher, High School choir teacherWhat are some qualities you admire in people? Any you'd like to work on?

8.25.2011

I had just pulled a batch of cookies out of the oven and Marcus was feasting upon one or two when, as you might have imagined, he desired a drink of milk.

He walked to one of the two fridges in the house and then to the other, but no milk could be found.

He came back to me with a disappointing expression--and then the question came that led to the conversation I never imagined having, with the person I never imagined having it with.

"So, could milk come out of your...[eyes shift downward to my chest, then back to my eyes in hopes that he doesn't have to actually say it]. Like, does that ever happen to you? How does that even work?"

...................

I stood there, speechless.

First off, had the fact that he was thirsty really brought this on? Were I to answer, "Why yes, can I pump you a glass?" Would he have accepted?

Or did the word 'milk' just spark something in his brain that was hopefully a completely different train of thought then remedies for his thirst. Please let it be that one.

Secondly, was this real life? Did he really think that at all times women were lactating? Had he really been married to me for over a year and never noticed whether I had occasional milk spills from the 'girls'?

His questions were followed by an impromptu, and very necessary lesson on the female body, and we got things cleared up.

And for any men out there embarrassed to ask, the answer is no--a resounding no.

(Please know that I am in no way suggesting that my husband is dumb, It just always makes me laugh when I realize how uninformed lots of men are about women's bodies (and probably vice-versa). I won't even tell you what his thoughts on periods were before he met me...but maybe I will someday. Who knows?)

8.24.2011

Now for the fun part! Loominosity sent me this gorgeous, hand-made tribal bracelet to give to one of you, my readers! It's seriously so gorgeous and I really wish I could keep it for myself, but alas, I will give it up, as long as you promise to wear it with pride and tuck it in with a bedtime story every night...

8.23.2011

Now I'm well aware of the fact that this is neither new to you or new in general, but this is just a stop-whatever-you're-doing-and-have-a-lip-syncing-session kind of {Tunes} on Tuesday, because let's be honest, who doesn't do that when this song comes on? And who doesn't have fun while there doing it?

In other news, the fantabulously sweet and adorable Chelsea of Tea Talk featured me on her blog today.

8.22.2011

For Your Basketis a handmade and vintage market being held at Taylor Crossing in Idaho Falls, ID this Saturday the 27th! The market features 25 local vendors who offer unique clothing, accessories, art, decor and gifts.

The first 100 customers to the event will receive a free cupcake from The Cocoa Bean Cafe!

They are so generously giving away the following items to one of YOU! They're from vendors that will be at there event Saturday, so if you live in the area and you like what you see, make sure you go down and show your support! As a former, regularly bored resident of Rexburg, I happen to know you probably don't have anything better to do and this looks so fun! Wish I could be there!Here are the items you're entering to win:

Full Bloom Headband by Jennie Moss Haute & Handpieced (http://www.etsy.com/shop/jenniemariemoss): This beautiful accessory is a large magenta bloom with a yellow stamen center. Flower is placed on a simple gold band, so its got a hint of whimsy.

Mini Decorative Arrow Set in Black and White by Verla Ivans (http://www.etsy.com/shop/verlaivans): This set of 6 wooden arrows are hand notched and tapered with gold blunt tipped ends. Each arrow is crafted from Poplar wood from sustainable forests, has three shield shaped feathers and measures approximately 18 inches in length and 1/4 inch in diameter.

*Only open to public google follower of i believe in unicorns.

(Please use separate comments for each entry):

Required:

1. Tell me one thing you need to accomplish this week and what will motivate you to do it.

Extra:

2. Tweet/Blog/Facebook about the giveaway (@mention or send me a link)

Most rather extreme, but life is for living, so why not make it count?

One was dancing the Tango in Buenos Aires.

As soon as I got back I found an Argentine Tango class at ASU and I fell in love.

It's a dance with so much emotion and since I'm a closet actress, I love to do anything that allows for character development.

Dancing at ASU with my favorite friend from Germany

I danced it for 2 years before moving to Idaho and saying goodbye to my favorite hobby.

Before I agreed to marry Marcus, I told him he'd either have to learn the tango, or be okay with the fact that I was, at some point, going to go to Argentina and dance with some man that was not him. And I was going to like it very much.

He didn't so much like the second idea, so he agreed to the first.

Ahhh, that's my boy...

Finally the time has come, we found a class taught by my ASU teacher, but it's at a community college in the area so we don't have to pay university tuition. We start at the end of this month and I'm completely ecstatic!

I've attached a few videos for your viewing pleasure. The first one's rather passionate, just so you know.

The second is a couple that I took a three day workshop from, they're really amazing and super nice, and the last one is my beautiful and talented teacher.

In the past month I've had extremely busy weekends, with lots of big and exciting plans and as much as I loved them, I was really ready for a break. This weekend I kept all plans empty. There were no anniversary trips, no family reunions, no hiking the grand canyon--just me and my time, to do with as I pleased. It was lovely. Was it weird that I was so looking forward to an event-free weekend?

//hi, my name is ashley.

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” Ronald Dahl

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